Europe in the world
Putting europe back on the map
Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine has been the starkest reminder that it is vital for Europe to be a strong, autonomous, and united voice on the global stage. As we gave unwavering support to Ukraine, Renew Europe also insisted that Europe strengthens its defense capabilities and cooperation. We also pushed to use foreign policy and trade agreements to make Europe’s influence felt in the world by advocating for fair and reciprocal trade relations and by actively combating human rights violations globally.
7.1 Europe in times of conflict
Global Europe in the face of multiple international conflicts
A series of crises in our neighborhood, from Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, to the seizure of Nagorno-Karabakh, instability in the Western Balkans and the despicable terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas, as well as the loss of civilian lives in Gaza. These developments have shown that a stronger, adequately reactive and more assertive European Union is needed. Throughout the 2019-2024 mandate, Renew Europe has called for unity and collective action, utilising all the instruments at the disposal of the European Union.
7.2 Standing with Ukraine
We sided with Ukraine
We deployed all the tools at our disposal to react to Russia’s illegal war. In the face of the brutal invasion of Ukraine and occupation of its several regions, Renew Europe puts all its efforts into helping Ukraine restore its sovereignty and defeat Russia.
Renew Europe immediately condemned Russia’s unprovoked and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine in the strongest possible terms and worked internally and with allies in the European Parliament to constrain Russia’s ability to wage war and to support Ukraine’s ability to resist this war of aggression.
Our fight for Ukraine:
We called for the exclusion of Russian operators from SWIFT, the main messaging network through which international payments are made, the blocking of Russian banks from the international financial system and the freezing of the assets of the Russian Central Bank.
7.3 Stronger European defence
We strengthened European defence
Angry press release will not scare the likes of Putin. Hard military and sound strategy will. The security of the European Union is under significant threat. Now, more than ever, we must take all necessary steps towards a real European Defence Union.
The need for more EU defence has never been so obvious. Europe must become a credible security provider and strategic partner that is able to protect its own citizens and allies. To this end, Renew Europe has strongly supported the development and implementation of the Strategic Compass, an ambitious but pragmatic action plan for strengthening European security and defence.
7.4 Punishing human rights violators
The EU magnitsky act to punish human rights violators
The Renew Europe Group campaigned and helped deliver an EU global human rights sanctions regime, the EU Magnitsky Act.
A strong European foreign policy needs appropriate tools to be able to confront and respond to the most horrible crimes of today’s world. We believe that unanimity within the EU Council does not help us move forward. Human rights cannot be subject to a veto!
Renew Europe will continue to insist on the need for the EU to also take steps to recognise the close link between corruption and human rights violations, and to target economic and financial enablers of human rights abusers.
7.5 Honouring freedom defenders
Honouring heroic defenders of the freedom of thought
Throughout this mandate, Renew Europe has been at the forefront of honouring heroes worldwide, by proposing candidates to the annual Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.
Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement in Iran won the 2023 Sakharov Prize
Mahsa Amini is a hero for all the people fighting for freedom and civil rights. Her cruel and unjust death in the hands of the Morality Police spurred widespread protests in Iran to end oppression, discrimination, tyranny, and dictatorship. For this, Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement were awarded the Sakharov Prize in 2023.
7.6 Trade as geopolitical power
Trade not only creates opportunities, it is also a geopolitical power
Open, fair, and assertive trade has always been in our DNA. Trade offers growth opportunities to European businesses as well as choice for consumers. But trade is not only about economics, it is also a powerful geopolitical lever that enables the EU to shape a world in which our values are permanently anchored.
Renew Europe has pushed for the EU’s trade power to be asserted during this mandate to ensure our open strategic autonomy. Renew Europe has played a key role in creating several instruments to set the conditions for fair and reciprocal trade relations and combat possible blackmail and unfair competition from third countries. Renew Europe led the review of the Enforcement Regulation which empowers the EU to act to protect its trade interests when a trade dispute is blocked. Renew Europe was furthermore behind a strong instrument on international procurement, opening foreign procurement markets for our companies. It was also key for us to ensure that the same level of scrutiny applies to subsidies granted by foreign governments, as for our state aid within the EU. Renew Europe also succeeded in giving to the EU every capacity to fend off blackmail from countries seeking to interfere with our interests, as China recently did with Lithuania.
7.7 Protecting Europe’s global interests
Defend European values and interests around the world
The EU must strengthen its open strategic autonomy to better defend its interests and values.
Investing in a renewed transatlantic partnership
After a period of tensions, Renew Europe has engaged early with the Biden administration to strengthen transatlantic relations, to lead the struggle for a rules-based international order and cooperate on issues such as the fight against authoritarianism, human rights abuses and environmental degradation.
7.8 Expanding the European Union
Enlargement of the European Union
Renew Europe has vocally supported the enlargement process for the Western Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia - based on the established conditions and criteria.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has made EU enlargement more important than ever as a bigger EU is a stronger EU. Continued European security and prosperity are linked to bringing in new Member States and advancing peace, democracy, respect for human rights and Rule of Law.
We have also remained clear that EU membership needs reforms in the candidate countries - strong democratic institutions fighting corruption and delivering real solutions for the citizens. Enlargement is the key to delivering more political stability on the continent, a bigger internal market, and better opportunities for citizens, but this will require internal reforms of the EU as well.
7.9 Sustainability as core value
Sustainable development is our core value
We believe in cooperation based on the Rule of Law, human rights and preserving the environment.
The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development establishes the global framework for international cooperation on sustainable development. What is in for the citizens? Ending poverty, preserving the planet, and ensuring widespread peace and prosperity.
